In a stunning comeback and a fairytale scenario, Celtic overturned a deficit to defeat Hearts, the long-time Scottish league leaders, denying them their first title since 1960 and securing their fifth consecutive league title after a miraculous season.
The Edinburgh-based team had led the standings since September, aiming to become the first team outside the traditional powerhouses (Celtic and Rangers) to win the league in four decades.
Celtic entered this match, the first title decider on the final day in Scotland since 1991, with high spirits after their dramatic and controversial last-minute penalty victory against Motherwell last Wednesday.
Hearts needed only a draw to clinch the title, and they took the lead through Lawrence Shankland. They were just three minutes away from securing the point they needed before their dreams were dramatically shattered.
After Celtic equalized through an Arne Engels penalty, the Blues regained the lead in the 87th minute through Daizen Maeda; a goal that was only awarded after a VAR review overturned the referee’s initial decision to disallow it.
In stoppage time, Callum Osmand sealed the victory with a third goal, bringing Celtic’s tally to 56 league titles, surpassing their rivals Rangers in total league championships.
While the world’s attention was focused on Celtic Park to see if Hearts would complete their legendary season, the home side secured the title, bringing back memories of what happened 40 years earlier when they started the final day in second place and snatched the title from Tynecastle (also known as Hearts).
In what may have been his last league game, interim manager Martin O’Neill led Celtic to their fourth title – 22 years after their last – securing his first win of the season against Derek McInnes’ team after two defeats and a draw.
